India beats New Zealand by four wickets to take a 2–0 T20I lead
India chased 181 in 19.5 overs at Christchurch on 24 October, with Tilak Varma’s 51 off 25 balls leading the finish.
India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the second T20I at Christchurch on 24 October 2026, reaching 181/6 in 19.5 overs.
The match result
New Zealand posted 180/5 in 20 overs. India reached 181/6 with one ball remaining, winning by four wickets and taking a 2–0 lead in the five-match series.
Tilak Varma made 51 from 25 balls and was named Player of the Match. Reuters reported that Nitish Kumar Reddy added 26 as the pair helped India recover after the chase had slipped to 112/6.
Why the chase turned
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner took 4/21, leaving India needing a late acceleration. Varma and Reddy added 69 runs from 30 balls for the seventh wicket.
New Zealand also recovered from 43/3: Glenn Phillips scored 70 and Bevon Jacobs 58 in a 116-run fourth-wicket partnership.
What a 2–0 lead means
A 2–0 advantage in a five-match series means India had won the first two games and could still be caught if New Zealand won the remaining three.
Use the official scorecard for totals, venue and player-of-the-match details. Separate the final result from individual performances.
Editorial disclosure
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Frequently asked questions
What was India’s final score?
India made 181/6 in 19.5 overs.
Who was Player of the Match?
Tilak Varma, who scored 51 from 25 balls.